Kim Ji-yeon (; born March 20, 1995), known professionally as Kei, is a South Korean singer and musical actress. She rose to fame as a member of South Korean girl group

Lovelyz Lovelyz () is a South Korean girl group formed in 2014 by Woollim Entertainment and is the company's first girl group. The group consists of eight members: Baby Soul, Jiae, Jisoo, Mijoo, Kei, Jin, Sujeong and Yein. Their debut album, '' Girls ...

in November 2014. Kei officially made her solo debut with released EP on October 8, 2019 titled '' Over and Over''. On November 16, 2021, she left

Woollim Entertainment Woollim Entertainment () is a South Korean entertainment company founded in 2003 by Lee Jung-yeop. The label is home to artists such as Golden Child, Rocket Punch, Drippin, and Kwon Eun-bi. It has previously handled artists Epik High, Infinit ...

after deciding not to renew her contract. She joined Palm Tree Island in January 2022 to focus on her musical career.

Biography

Kei was born Kim Ji-yeon on March 20, 1995 in

Incheon Incheon (; ; or Inch'ŏn; literally "kind river"), formerly Jemulpo or Chemulp'o (제물포) until the period after 1910, officially the Incheon Metropolitan City (인천광역시, 仁川廣域市), is a city located in northwestern South Kore ...

, South Korea. She graduated from Incheon Youngsun High School.

Career

2014-2015: Debut with Lovelyz

In November 2014, Kei debuted as the main vocalist of girl group

with the release of the debut studio album,

Girls' Invasion ''Girls' Invasion'' is the debut studio album by South Korean girl group Lovelyz. The album was released digitally and physically on November 17, 2014, by Woollim Label and distributed by LOEN Entertainment. The album contains nine tracks inclu ...

. In December 2015, she recorded the song ''Love Is Like That'' for the drama ''Oh My Venus''.

2016-2018: Solo activities

She was a contestant for JTBC's main vocal competition ''Girls Spirit'' in 2016, and was cast for a lead role in the web drama ''Matching! Boys Archery Club'' in the same year. On September 1, she released the collaborative song "Y". On October 26, she released a collaboration with The Solutions titled ''Beautiful'' as a part of HIGHGRND label project PLAYGRND. In 2017, she made appearances on a variety of shows. She appeared on ''

King of Mask Singer ''The King of Mask Singer'' () is a South Korean singing competition program presented by Kim Sung-joo, with introductions by voice actor . It airs on MBC on Sunday, starting from April 5, 2015 as a part of MBC's '' Sunday Night'' programming ...

'' as the contestant "Agiley Mouse Jerry" for episodes 107–108. She also went on

Duet Song Festival ''Duet Song Festival'' () is a 2016 South Korean television program hosted by Sung Si-kyung Sung Si-kyung (; born April 17, 1979) is a South Korean singer, entertainer and television host. He debuted in 2001 and has released eight studio alb ...

covering

Kim Tae-yeon Kim Tae-yeon (; born March 9, 1989), known mononymously as Taeyeon, is a South Korean singer. She debuted as a member of girl group Girls' Generation in August 2007, which went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea and one ...

's song " I". Other shows she guested on was '' Running Man'' and ''Idol National Singing Competition''. On June 8, 2018, it was announced that Kei would be the new MC for ''

Music Bank Music Bank may refer to: * ''Music Bank'' (TV program), a South Korean music program by KBS **''Music Bank World Tour The ''Music Bank'' World Tour is a worldwide live concert tour of South Korean music show '' Music Bank'' by the Korean Broa ...

'' alongside actor Choi Won-myeong, starting from June 15.

2019-present: Solo debut and departure from Woollim

In 2019, she released the

extended play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.

(EP) ''Over and Over'', under her real name Kim Ji-yeon. The album and the lead single "I Go" music video were released on October 8. On November 1, 2021, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kei would not renew her contract and she left the company on November 16, 2021, following Lovelyz's disbandment. On January 10, 2022, it was confirmed that Kei signed with Palm Tree Island, signaling her debut as a full time musical actress. In May 2022, Kei released a ballad, R&B project's 11th single 'Star Road' featuring KozyPop (along with KozyPop), which will be released on May 29, 2022. In July 2022 it was announced that Kei will hold a ''Kei from Kei'' fan meeting, her first face-to-face fan meeting, Ever since she announced her steps as a musical actress, and her first solo fan meeting since debut, which will be held on August 20, 2022. In December 2022, Kei signed with A2Z Ent (Pop Music).

Discography

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

Collaborations

Soundtrack appearances

Filmography

Web series

Web shows

Theatre

Notes

References

External links

* {{authority control 1995 births Living people Woollim Entertainment artists K-pop singers South Korean female idols South Korean women pop singers 21st-century South Korean actresses 21st-century South Korean singers 21st-century South Korean women singers South Korean sopranos Lovelyz members